KING NEPTUNE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 10

KING NEPTUNE

CEREMONY ON CLIPPER PASSENGERS INITIATED Traditional ceremony, but with a 'difference, was observed when the , an-American Airways’ Honolulu 'Ripper crossed the equator on her .'light southward to Auckland.

Passengers who hqd not previously crossed the ‘‘line" were dubbed “Pollywogs'’ for the occasion, and King Neptune descended upon them in all his marine majesty, complete with crown and trident

Captain R. H. McGlohn supervised the initiation of his “victims.” It was obviously impossible to “heave to” and duck the initiates, but the ceremony was adapted to suit air transport. With ample space on the big clipper for King Neptune to hold court, novices were dealt with one by one.

They were liberally lathered and painfully shaved, but there was more to come. First-voyagers were duly initiated into the Order of the Southern Cross. Each was firmly held down, while the sign of the Southern Cross was painted on his forehead .in iodine. As the fun continued a more drastic initiation was adopted, and with coats and shirts removed forcibly, if necessary, the victims of Fihg Neptune were .painted with bigger and better Southern Crosses, also in iodine.